Question

Explain India and European colonialism from the point of view of foreigners.

Dutch

Answer 1

1. In 1602, several Dutch companies came together to form a company, named ‘United East India’.
2. The Dutch government issued a license to the company to conduct trading with the eastern countries.
3. The same license permitted them to appoint staff, to establish factories, to build forts, to engage in battles against the eastern countries and also to sign treaties with them.
4. They also obtained monopoly in black pepper trade by entering a treaty with the king of Kochi.
5. At the beginning of the 17th century the Dutch naval force was very strong.
6. At any given moment they could deploy at least 20 war ships and an army of 3-4 thousand soldiers.
7. The Mughal, Adilshahi and Qutubshahi ships were required to obtain license from the Dutch.
8. If any ship was launched without a license, it was seized by the Dutch.